Electric bath



' Feb. 16, 1943.

R. 'R uAT' ELECTRIC BATH Filed March 2. 1939 F-TGI lie-Wm 1NVEN'1' OR. ROGER ROUAT.

Paid A.Tallnfi'.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 16, 1943 ELECTRIC BATH Roger Rouat, Sanvic, Le Havre, France; vested in the Alien Property Gustodian Application March 2, 1939, Serial No. 259,357

In France October 6, 1938 8 Claims. 7 (Cl. 128-373) My invention relates to an electric bath and particularly to a bath in which the beneficial rays and heat from the electric element are reflected and projected onto and into the body of the bather while inclosed and reclining. My invention has among its purposes and objects the following:

An electric bath which may be taken in a reclining and relaxed position.

A means of receiving the beneficial rays of an electrical element without overheating the thorax or detrimentally affecting the heart.

An electric bath in which the body may be disposed in any comfortable position in relation to the electric element or elements with no danger of burning.

a An electric bath heating and applying beneficial rays to the parts of the body only where the treatment is desired.

An electric bath providing beneficial rays in the absence of other light rays.

A bath cabinet hermetically sealed against infiltration of air.

A comfortable, compact and safe electric bath.

I accomplish these and other objects by the construction herein described and shown in the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of my device.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section at ;33 Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a tranverse section at 2-2 Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mat.

Similar reference characters refer to similarparts throughout the several views of the drawing and in the specification to follow.

Electric baths have been used and their benefits recognized increasingly here and abroad for their beneficial heat and curative rays. Experience has taught that the application of infra red and other rays are most effective in the ab sence of other light rays and the economy of the use of electric current is best conserved by the use of a cabinet.

The cabinets, usually vertically disposed inclosures, are tiresome, uncomfortable, burns from the electric element are frequent and as the heat rises to the top the thorax is overheated often causing harm to the heart. It will be seen that my bath overcomes the disadvantages of the ordinary electric bath while it has retained its benefits and added new benefits and advantages. The user or patient is treated while relaxed, the heat rises to the top of the cabinet while the body is at the bottom and the rays are directed to the part of the body where desired without heating or overheating parts of the body where the heat is not desired. I

Infra red rays, the rays of sun lamps and rays of various qualities for treating various physical complaints are recognized as beneficial and the use of electric rays to prevent disease and improve health has become nearly universal. Shutting out the undesirable rays from the part of the body being treated, retaining heat by insulation and preventing infiltration are also fea- I tures which result in economy of operation because of the use of my cabinet, In a reclining position the user also does not breathe the dry heated air rising from the cabinet. For the purpose of illustration and so the. the construction of one of the embodiments of my invention may be easily understood I have not shown numerous modifications of the con struction whichwill be suggested to one skilledin the art to which it pertains. After a study-of this disclosure it will be apparent that the size, shape and details may be modified to suit the various uses to which my invention is adapted without departing from the principles which underlie it. a

The type of electrical element or light and the material used for the yarious parts as well as their position may be varied for treatments of numerous kinds. For instance infra red treatmentsare made in the darkness within my cabinet without losing the benefit of the thermal electric bath.

The cabinet 'l is preferably of a size, internally, to provide room forthe user to lie in a comfortable position and-to move to one'side or the other and to turn over. The head and neck however are not inclosed in the cabinet but lieon the hinged extension 2 over which a part of the pad or mat 3 extends and upon which a pillow 4 may be placed as desired. The mat .may conform to the general shape of the floor or bottom 5 and may be of sponge rubber or other suitable material.

Within the cabinet and located near the end 6 thereof I have provided the shoulder rest '1 resting at one end .8 on the bottom 5 and 'inclined upwardly toward the end 6. The hinged extension may also be inclined upwardly to form a continuation of the inclined plane 5 with the shoulder restr v The hinged extension 2 forms a head rest and is preferably substantially narrower than the width of the cabinet and may be folded, by reason of its hinges l0, up and inwardly through the opening I l in the end 6 and upon the shoulder rest I when not in use.

When my cabinet is not in use it may be stored on end and when in this position requires less floor space than the vertical type because the electric elements l2 are arranged on one side and at a position when the users body requires relatively little space within the cabinet as the body in areclining position lies at the bottom and not in the center of the space within the cabinet as is the case when the user bathes while; E

erably provided with a cut out portion 4| which in a standing position in the ordinary cabinet. The cabinet is preferably constructed of ply wood or other relatively light material making ,the handling of it an easy matter. 1Handlesl3.

able not only to prevent air infiltration while my cabinet is in use but also while heating the cabinet up prior to its occupation.

The hinged end member is preferably provided with the hinge 38 which may be of the continuous piano hinge type secured to the front end edge 39 of the door 32 permitting said end member to swing inwardly and whenthe cabinet is closed to rest against the inner-surface of. the sides of the end 6. The lower edge 40 of th end member to which the curtain is attached is prefadds room and freedom around the neck or body 1 of the user.

and [4, preferably ar positioned flush with the side walls l5 and I6, may be used to further increase the portability of my device making it desirable for home use where the user may take progressive treatments over a period of time and thus obtain the maximum benefit without the danger of over penetration and heating which is apt to occur because of the time required when treatments are taken away from home in an institution. f v

The source of electric current I! may be supplied in the customary way through the socket l8 and plug in cord I9- which may be removed while handling my cabinet and moving it about. 'The top inclined surface may be provided with the plug in socket 2| to receive one end'of said electric cord IS. The socket 2! is connected by the wires 22 to a variable resistance or rheostat 23 through the junction box 24 to which the electric elements I2are connected by the wires 25. The resistance 23 may be varied by the user of my cabinet while using it and is preferably located on the interior surface of the side wall [6 so that it is-=within easy reach and by turning the handle 26"the Voltage of the elements may be varied to increase or decrease the intensity and efiect of the elements 12 as desired. e

The top inclined surface 20 may be provided with a tablet and name plate and instruction for the adjustment and use of my device which may be inserted into and kept in the removable frame 21 which may be provided with 'a glass in the manner of-a'picture frame The inclined surface 20 terminates at its upper end at the ridge 28 affording ample space under the ridge for the reflectors 29 and framework 30 supporting the reflectors and elements [2. The top 3| of my cabinet slopes downwardly from the ridge 28 to the end 6 and is preferably provided with a sliding hatch cover or door 32 which when open makes-getting into the cabinet an 'easy matter as a substantial part of the top is open and provides a means of reducing the in terior size of the cabinet. The cabinet is substantially hermetically sealed at any position of the sliding door. Flexible wrist and arm sleeves 33 and 34 are providedinthedoor to permit the hands and arms to project therethrough to the exterior so that the hands may be used as desired. Around the neck or body I have provided a' flexible curtain 35 which hangs from the hinged end member 36 thereby sealing the end 6 of my cabinet. The hinged end member and curtain permit the legs and lower part of the body to enter the cabinet and to close the opening-in the end 6 and aro'und the neck or body of the user. 'The arm sleeves may be of rubber andcross-slitted 31 to' close the opening when not in use as it is desir- The electric elements and reflectors are provided with open mesh screens for safety against burns andto preventinflammable material such as cover,towels, etc., from accidentally being thrown into contact with the heated electric elements. The frame 30 supporting the elements and reflectors may-be provided with the hinge 42 which swingingly secures the elements to the top of the cabinet and permits an adjustment of the direction' of the rays from the elements to the "dc sired part-of the body. The frame may be locked in the desired position by means of the slotted links 43 and wing bolts 44 near each end. The cross member 45, to which the hinge 42 issecured and the cros member 46 to which the links 43 are swingingly secured, are detachably secured to the top of the cabinet and may be moved to several locations at the top interior of the cabinet thus making the elements l2 and their supporting framework -30- semiportable and adjustable.

Wing bolts 41' may be used in securing said cross member to the cabinet at the desired location. The cabinet is preferably lined with heat resisting and insulating material 48 near the 10- cations where the elements l2 are most used.

To protect the corners and to strengthen and finish the cabinet I have provided the corner angles 49 which may be of attractive nontarnishing material such as stainless steel or of other suitable material nickel or chromium plated.

The ply wood is further stiffened at the corners and under the bottom or floor bythe 'reenforcing members 50.

To prevent the legs from coming'in contact with the frame, reflectors, etc., I have'provided the cross bar 5| which extends from one side wall to the other below these parts;

I have herein disclosed in detail one construction which illustrates the principles embodied in and underlying my invention. I do not wish to be limited to these details however as they may be modified within the scope of the appended claims which succinctly set forth my invention.

I claim:

1. In an electric bath, an electric element or elements and reflectors for projecting rays onto the body of the user and a cabinet having a bottom of sufficient length and width to permit the body of the user to lie thereon while in a reclining or prone position, said cabinet having openings in the top, flexible springy means closing said openings having slits therein permitting the hands and arms of the userto be thrust through said slits to the exterior of i said cabinet, said slits closing together and closing said opening automatically upon the removal of the arms and hands. 2. In an electric bath, electric elements and reflectors 'for projecting rays onto the'body of the user, and a cabinet having a bottom of sufficient length and width to permit the body of the user to lie thereon while in a reclining or prone position, said reflectors being disposed across said cabinet, said cabinet having an inclined top and an inclined surface at the back thereof and a ridge transversely disposed connecting said inclined top and said inclined surface over said reflectors, an adjustable removable frame swingingly supporting said reflectors in relation to said inclined surface and said inclined top to permit the rays from said electric elements to be projected onto different parts of the body within said cabinet by swinging said frame.

3. In an electric bath, electric elements and reflectors for projecting rays onto the body of the user, and a cabinet having a bottom of sufiicient length and width to permit the body of the user to lie thereon while in a reclining or prone position, said reflectors being disposed across said cabinet, said cabinet having an inclined top and an inclined surface at the back thereof and a ridge transversely disposed connecting said inclined top and said inclined surface over said reflectors, an adjustable removable frame swingingly supporting said reflectors in relation to said inclined surface and said inclined top to permit the rays from said electric elements to be projected onto different parts of the body within said cabinet by swinging said frame and means secured to said frame to hold said reflectors at the predetermined adjustment comprising a detachably secured cross member, slotted links, swingingly secured thereto and securing means on said swinging frame engaging the slots of said swinging links to secure said frame in its adjusted position.

4. In an electric bath, an electric element or elements and reflectors for projecting rays onto the body of the user and a cabinet having a bottom of sufiicient length and width to permit the body of the user to lie thereon in a reclining or prone position and a top door and end hinged thereto movable longitudinally of said cabinet whereby the interior of said cabinet may be reduced in size.

5. In an electric bath, a cabinet and electric heating elements and reflectors transversely disposed between the ends of said cabinet, said cabinet being of suflicient length and width on its bottom to permit the user to lie prone thereon with the lower legs and feet under and back of said reflectors and a cross bar positioned across said cabinet between the ends thereof under said reflectors and above the legs of the user to permit said reflectors to be positioned close to the body of the user and to prevent the legs from contacting said reflectors.

6. In an electric bath, electric elements and reflectors for projecting rays onto the body of the user and a cabinet having a bottom of sufficient length and width to permit the body of the user to lie thereon while in a reclining or prone position, cross members and a frame hinged to one of said cross members and secured to said elements and reflectors, said cross members detachably securing said elements and reflectors to the top of the cabinet whereby the position of said elements and reflectors may be moved in relation to said cabinet.

7. In an electric bath, a cabinet having a bottom of suflicient length and width to permit the body of the user to lie thereon while in a reclining or prone position, a cross member secured to the top of said cabinet, electric elements and reflectors hinged to said cross member at the top of said cabinet, said elements and reflectors hinged to said cross member between the ends of said cross member at the top of said cabinet for projecting rays longitudinally of said cabinet and tochange the angle of projection in relation to the body of the user whereby the direction of projection of said rays may be adjusted and varied.

8. In an electric bath, a cabinet having a bottom of sufficient length and width to permit the body of the user to lie thereon while in a reclining or prone position, a cross member secured to the top of said cabinet, electric elements and reflectors hinged to said cross member at the top of said cabinet, said elements and reflectors hinged to said cross member between the ends of said cross member at the top of said cabinet for projecting rays longitudinally of said cabinet and to change the angle of projection in relation to the body of the user whereby the direction of projection of said rays may be adjusted and varied, and thumb screws on the exterior of the top of said cabinet removably securing said cross member and said reflectors to said cabinet whereby the position of said reflectors may be shifted to another part of the top of the cabinet.

ROGER ROUAT. 

